Business Development Fund Accepting Applications

Nov. 12, 2009

In order to address the lack of owner's equity available for Native American business owners on the Crow Creek Sioux Indian Reservation, The Harvest Initiative developed the Harvest Initiative Business Development Fund. The Fund provides equity grants to existing and start-up businesses on the reservation which can be used for the purchase of new equipment, development of a new product line, or as owner's equity in accessing other financing.

So far, two start-up businesses have received awards through The Harvest Fund. Thanks to the generous support of Citi and the South Dakota Community Foundation, The Harvest Initiative is able to announce that four additional awards will be made in the first half of 2010.

Please contact The Harvest Initiative to find out more about this program or request an application.

The Harvest Fund is patterned after a successful program administered by the Montana Department of Commerce called the Montana Indian Equity Fund.

The Harvest Initiative was founded in 2008 to invest locally in native grown ideas and support socially responsible business development to move Crow Creek Sioux Reservation toward a commercially viable, self-sustaining economic environment.